The Chairman of the Westmoreland County Republican Committee agrees that the Hempfield Municipal Authority members messed up and should resign!.
Perry Christopher, Chairman of the Westmoreland County Republican Committee, wrote this on his Blog: “I don't know why these guys just don't quit. There are at least three thousand other people in Hempfield Township that could sit on the board just as well. In all honesty, the current members with the "credit card problem" wouldn't even be missed. But, none of my business, I live in Unity Township. The public is already sick of government in general. So, any official caught up in something like this should just step aside and give someone else a chance to serve honorably."
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Supervisor Kim Ward finally gets it: She is quoted saying “It appears some out there want me to stand on the rooftop and yell “resign”, and that would probably be the politically expedient thing to do.”
It certainly would be the RIGHT thing to do as an elected public official!
Supervisor Kim Ward finally got it right by calling for the resignations of the Hempfield Municipal Authority members. Supervisor Ward states “I did indeed call for resignations, just not in a public forum. I mailed my request for resignation to the individual members…”
It appears that Supervisor Kim Ward has a problem with SUNSHINE.
Openness by public officials is what the public should and expect to receive not secret actions behind the closed doors (or envelopes) behavior.
Elected public officials have a responsibility to do public business in public forums - not hidden from the public.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Supervisor Kim Ward has has yet to call for the resignation of her Authority members if they improperly used public money!
Hempfield agency chairman won't resign
By Richard Gazarik
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, July 12, 2007
The chairman of the Hempfield Township Municipal Authority board said he will not resign but he will introduce a "comprehensive reform package" at the August meeting to make the authority's spending practices more accountable.Robert Regola Jr. said he has surrendered his authority-issued credit card but defended his use of it. He said all the expenses he incurred attending conferences or seminars have "always been legal and appropriate."In the future, Regola said, "I will use my personal credit card or pay cash for any authority-related business charges."Regola and other authority board members have been under scrutiny by the township board of supervisors for their spending practices at conferences and seminars. Supervisor Bob Davidson, who serves on the authority board, demanded Monday that Regola, Kathy Hopkin and Brian Melenia resign from the board."I flatly reject his demand to do so," Regola said in a statement. Melenia and Hopkin also do not plan to resign.None of the three attended the meeting Monday, forcing its cancellation."Because my attendance at conferences has helped me to be a better-informed and more effective board member, and because all of my conferences expenses have been properly incurred and reimbursed, there is no reason for Mr. Davidson to call for me to resign ... ," Regola said in the statement."Mr. Davidson's inaccurate allegations, designed to maximize media attention, demonstrate his purely political motivation and continuing desire for publicity," Regola said.Regola said his reform proposal will require board approval for all conferences, put limits on the number of conferences a member may attend each year, and impose a cap on spending."I believe these reforms are necessary to ensure board practices are transparent and not tainted by misperception," he said.He said the expenses he has submitted to the authority "have been documented and reimbursed to the authority whenever appropriate."Regola said his attorney has advised him that it is "perfectly legal" for an authority to issue credit cards to its board members. Davidson said Regola's statement is an admission of the need for reform."He's admitted to the fact to practices that are not acceptable," he said. "The horse is out of the barn, Bob. There sure is a need for reform."He added that, if there were no problems, "Why would we need reform?"Davidson said he has been examining credit card bills and has discovered hundreds of dollars in late fees because the authority did not pay bills on time. He said the late fees were incurred because authority employees are not permitted to open credit card bills until the members see them first and can black out the personal charges.He said he suspects that board members have not reimbursed the authority for personal charges, such as airfare for spouses they take on the trips.Authority board member Matt Pecarchik last Friday reimbursed the authority for the cost of an airline ticket in 2005 for taking his girlfriend to a convention in San Francisco. Kim Ward, who chairs the township board of supervisors, said Regola's action "shows that Bob Davidson's efforts have been successful to this point." She expects a report on the authority's spending will be finished by the end of July."I'm glad they're doing what they're doing, but we still will have to make some changes," Ward added.Supervisor Doug Weimer, who recommended earlier that authority members surrender their credit cards, called Regola's decision "a great step forward.""I'm happy to see that the members of the HTMA are acting on my suggestions to cease use of credit cards," Weimer said.
By Richard Gazarik
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, July 12, 2007
The chairman of the Hempfield Township Municipal Authority board said he will not resign but he will introduce a "comprehensive reform package" at the August meeting to make the authority's spending practices more accountable.Robert Regola Jr. said he has surrendered his authority-issued credit card but defended his use of it. He said all the expenses he incurred attending conferences or seminars have "always been legal and appropriate."In the future, Regola said, "I will use my personal credit card or pay cash for any authority-related business charges."Regola and other authority board members have been under scrutiny by the township board of supervisors for their spending practices at conferences and seminars. Supervisor Bob Davidson, who serves on the authority board, demanded Monday that Regola, Kathy Hopkin and Brian Melenia resign from the board."I flatly reject his demand to do so," Regola said in a statement. Melenia and Hopkin also do not plan to resign.None of the three attended the meeting Monday, forcing its cancellation."Because my attendance at conferences has helped me to be a better-informed and more effective board member, and because all of my conferences expenses have been properly incurred and reimbursed, there is no reason for Mr. Davidson to call for me to resign ... ," Regola said in the statement."Mr. Davidson's inaccurate allegations, designed to maximize media attention, demonstrate his purely political motivation and continuing desire for publicity," Regola said.Regola said his reform proposal will require board approval for all conferences, put limits on the number of conferences a member may attend each year, and impose a cap on spending."I believe these reforms are necessary to ensure board practices are transparent and not tainted by misperception," he said.He said the expenses he has submitted to the authority "have been documented and reimbursed to the authority whenever appropriate."Regola said his attorney has advised him that it is "perfectly legal" for an authority to issue credit cards to its board members. Davidson said Regola's statement is an admission of the need for reform."He's admitted to the fact to practices that are not acceptable," he said. "The horse is out of the barn, Bob. There sure is a need for reform."He added that, if there were no problems, "Why would we need reform?"Davidson said he has been examining credit card bills and has discovered hundreds of dollars in late fees because the authority did not pay bills on time. He said the late fees were incurred because authority employees are not permitted to open credit card bills until the members see them first and can black out the personal charges.He said he suspects that board members have not reimbursed the authority for personal charges, such as airfare for spouses they take on the trips.Authority board member Matt Pecarchik last Friday reimbursed the authority for the cost of an airline ticket in 2005 for taking his girlfriend to a convention in San Francisco. Kim Ward, who chairs the township board of supervisors, said Regola's action "shows that Bob Davidson's efforts have been successful to this point." She expects a report on the authority's spending will be finished by the end of July."I'm glad they're doing what they're doing, but we still will have to make some changes," Ward added.Supervisor Doug Weimer, who recommended earlier that authority members surrender their credit cards, called Regola's decision "a great step forward.""I'm happy to see that the members of the HTMA are acting on my suggestions to cease use of credit cards," Weimer said.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
"Stench From Sewage Authority Still Flows, Twp Chair Should contact Attorney General"
And we have continuing Hempfield News - Twp Supervisor Chair has yet to resolve this issue!
3 Hempfield officials miss meeting
By Richard Gazarik
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
On the night Bob Davidson planned to publicly demand that three colleagues on the Hempfield Township Municipal Authority resign for allegedly misusing credit cards, the members failed to attend, forcing a cancellation of the meeting."My intention was to come and request the resignations of Bob Regola, Brian Melenia and Kathy Hopkin," he said.Their absence forced authority manager Rege Ranella to cancel the session for lack of a quorum. He said Regola had been hospitalized and was just released; Melenia is in Maryland on a job; and Hopkin couldn't attend……
3 Hempfield officials miss meeting
By Richard Gazarik
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
On the night Bob Davidson planned to publicly demand that three colleagues on the Hempfield Township Municipal Authority resign for allegedly misusing credit cards, the members failed to attend, forcing a cancellation of the meeting."My intention was to come and request the resignations of Bob Regola, Brian Melenia and Kathy Hopkin," he said.Their absence forced authority manager Rege Ranella to cancel the session for lack of a quorum. He said Regola had been hospitalized and was just released; Melenia is in Maryland on a job; and Hopkin couldn't attend……
- Melenia has charged the authority for alcohol purchases, sightseeing and nightclub visits.
- Melenia and Regola attended seven conferences in a two-year period costing the authority $8,000.
- Davidson said he has reviewed $20,000 worth of charges and said he can't find receipts for any of the charges.
- Davidson said Hopkin charged nearly $11,000 from 2002 to 2005.
- He discovered that one member went to conferences at Seven Springs and Nemacolin Woodlands Resort within a five-day period.
- Another member went to three conventions within two months.
- Authority member Matt Pecarchik admitted last night that he reimbursed the authority this past Friday for expenses charged to an authority credit card for his girlfriend for a convention in 2005. He would not say where the convention was held, how much he repaid the authority, or why it took so long for him to repay the money……
Hopkin, who surrendered her credit card last week, accused Davidson of using the news media to discredit her, Melenia and Regola."It certainly is political," she said. "Why don't the supervisors speak to us? Why do they speak to us through the media? I believe this is all political. Their communication with us is zero."Davidson noted that his colleagues have traveled to San Francisco, San Antonio and New Orleans for conventions held by the American Water Works Association, which he said, deals with drinking water issues, not sewage. Read the complete article
Spending still drawing Hempfield board's attention
By Richard Gazarik
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, June 29, 2007
A Hempfield Township supervisor is proposing a plan to make its municipal authority more accountable to the public.Doug Weimer said he will ask authority members to turn in their authority-issued credit cards and will require them to pay travel expenses for national conferences or state seminars with their own credit cards or by check or cash. They will then have to submit itemized receipts for reimbursement. …… Weimer's proposal comes as the board of supervisors is seeking municipal authority credit card and expense records, including:
By Richard Gazarik
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, June 29, 2007
A Hempfield Township supervisor is proposing a plan to make its municipal authority more accountable to the public.Doug Weimer said he will ask authority members to turn in their authority-issued credit cards and will require them to pay travel expenses for national conferences or state seminars with their own credit cards or by check or cash. They will then have to submit itemized receipts for reimbursement. …… Weimer's proposal comes as the board of supervisors is seeking municipal authority credit card and expense records, including:
- Expenses for trips that members have charged for conventions in San Antonio and San Francisco and conferences in Hershey and Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Fayette County.
- Alcohol purchases at national conferences and unknown purchases at several local bars by some members.
- Payment for airline tickets to Atlanta when there was no convention scheduled in that city.
The supervisors are demanding the resignations of authority members Robert Regola Jr. and Brian Melenia after they attended seven conferences in one year, racking up charges of $8,000, according to Davidson. Cards also were issued to general manager Rege Ranella, Kathy Hopkin and Matt Pecarchik. …… Davidson complained that the Hempfield authority has had three key staffers resign over the past three years and three more had been fired, leaving authority members available to make the trips. He said authority employees who work in administration have not received annual raises because the money to pay them has been spent on travel.
CREDIT CARD ABUSE????
Expenses at Hempfield authority under scrutiny
By Richard Gazarik
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
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Other authorities restrict use of credit cards or have none.The Hempfield supervisors Monday decided to review all authority expense accounts for at least the past seven years to see if there has been any abuse.Supervisor Bob Davidson, who serves on the authority, has demanded the resignations of authority Chairman Robert Regola Jr. and member Brian Melenia for allegedly misusing the cards after they attend seven conferences in one year and racked up $8,000 in expenses. Neither man has resigned.The authority's policy allows four of its five members to charge for typically nonreimbursed expenses -- liquor, nightclub visits and airfare for spouses -- without requiring them to submit itemized receipts. Other authorities restrict use of credit cards or have none.The Hempfield supervisors Monday decided to review all authority expense accounts for at least the past seven years to see if there has been any abuse. Supervisor Bob Davidson, who serves on the authority, has demanded the resignations of authority Chairman Robert Regola Jr. and member Brian Melenia for allegedly misusing the cards after they attend seven conferences in one year and racked up $8,000 in expenses. Neither man has resigned. …… The authority has no policy on travel expenses, though the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association in Harrisburg recommends its members have a written policy."This is a policy they set for themselves," said Supervisor Kim Ward, chairman of the Hempfield board.
By Richard Gazarik
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
- The Hempfield Township supervisors don't have any.
- Neither do members of the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County,
- the Westmoreland County Airport Authority
- or the Unity Township Municipal Authority.
- Directors of the Hempfield Township Municipal Authority have at least four.
- What are they? Personal credit cards.
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Other authorities restrict use of credit cards or have none.The Hempfield supervisors Monday decided to review all authority expense accounts for at least the past seven years to see if there has been any abuse.Supervisor Bob Davidson, who serves on the authority, has demanded the resignations of authority Chairman Robert Regola Jr. and member Brian Melenia for allegedly misusing the cards after they attend seven conferences in one year and racked up $8,000 in expenses. Neither man has resigned.The authority's policy allows four of its five members to charge for typically nonreimbursed expenses -- liquor, nightclub visits and airfare for spouses -- without requiring them to submit itemized receipts. Other authorities restrict use of credit cards or have none.The Hempfield supervisors Monday decided to review all authority expense accounts for at least the past seven years to see if there has been any abuse. Supervisor Bob Davidson, who serves on the authority, has demanded the resignations of authority Chairman Robert Regola Jr. and member Brian Melenia for allegedly misusing the cards after they attend seven conferences in one year and racked up $8,000 in expenses. Neither man has resigned. …… The authority has no policy on travel expenses, though the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association in Harrisburg recommends its members have a written policy."This is a policy they set for themselves," said Supervisor Kim Ward, chairman of the Hempfield board.
Doing What's Right??? A Nonbinding Resolution - What no Investigation?
2 on Hempfield board don't resign
By Richard Gazarik
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Two members of the Hempfield Township Municipal Authority board apparently are not resigning, despite one director's contention that they should quit because they misused credit cards issued by the authority. Board chairman Robert Regola Jr. and director Brian Melenia ignored a Monday deadline issued by township Supervisor Bob Davidson, who also serves on the board.
By Richard Gazarik
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Two members of the Hempfield Township Municipal Authority board apparently are not resigning, despite one director's contention that they should quit because they misused credit cards issued by the authority. Board chairman Robert Regola Jr. and director Brian Melenia ignored a Monday deadline issued by township Supervisor Bob Davidson, who also serves on the board.
- In response, the township supervisors last night voted to formally request that the authority turn over its financial records for the past seven years for review by township officials. The supervisors have concerns about authority spending practices and its decisions about sewerage projects.
- Chairwoman Kim Ward introduced a "nonbinding" resolution supporting Davidson's efforts to obtain the records. … ...
- The supervisors also have no authority to audit authority records.
- They could request an audit by the office of state Attorney General Tom Corbett, but they decided last night to request copies of the public records and review the documents themselves. ...…
When he traveled to San Antonio in 2005 for a convention, Melenia charged $26.59 on an authority credit card to buy liquor at Payless Discount Liquors and $35.33 to the River Center Comedy Club, according to authority records. He also used his card for five charges at the Great Escape in Hempfield and at Fontana's Bar in North Huntingdon.
Regola has used his card to pay for meals at the Parkwood in Southwest Greensburg and Mr. P's on Route 30 in Hempfield, according to the bills. He also charged more than $2,700 on Dec. 21, 2005, at Mountain View Inn in Unity for "expenses for board meeting." His charges also included $121 at the tavern at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort near Farmington while attending a conference there.
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